Sebastien Bourdais will compete in both races at Long Beach

Four-time Indy-car champion Sebastien Bourdais will drive for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing this weekend in the IMSA Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Sebastien Bourdais will take part in his own personal double-header this weekend at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

The four-time Champ Car Series championship and current NTT IndyCar Series star has been called in to substitute for Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT driver Joey Hand in Saturday’s Bubba Burger Sports Car Grand Prix of Long Beach IMSA race.

According to Chip Ganassi Racing, Hand has “flu-like symptoms.” Bourdais drives for Ganassi’s IMSA team in the long endurance races on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule and in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The 40-year-old Bourdais will also compete in all NTT IndyCar Series practice, qualifications and the race in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach for Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser and Sullivan.

Bourdais will co-drive the No. 66 Ford GT with Dirk Muller on Saturday. Bourdais also drove with Hand and Muller in the first two races of the IMSA season, including the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.

“Although we’re disappointed for Joey, we’re also fortunate to have someone like Sebastien who can step right in this weekend,” said Ford motorsport boss Mark Rushbrook.“We're grateful Dale Coyne Racing will allow him to do double duty with the IndyCar race this weekend. Seb already has so many miles in the Ford GT and knows the team and crew so well, that it’s the perfect solution.”

It will be a busy weekend as Bourdais will be the only driver competing in both major races at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Qualifying for the IMSA race is Friday afternoon after IndyCar has two practice sessions. IMSA also has a 45-minute practice.